WHATELY — As New England Patriots fans gather to watch Sunday’s Super Bowl, Whately Congregational Church’s congregation will gather for Souper Bowl Sunday, a fundraiser for the Food Bank of Western Mass.
As part of a national donation initiative organized by the nonprofit Souper Bowl of Caring, the church’s 10 a.m. service will reflect the day’s football festivities.
“The usual bulletin is all changed to reflect team events,” explained the church’s pastor, the Rev. Cynthia Crosson. “For example, our call to worship is called ‘The Kickoff,’ our first hymn ‘Rally Song,’ our Invocation is the ‘Team huddle,’ and so on.”
Crosson said this year’s sermon is titled “Playing on God’s Team.”
“I use the analogy of the team to talk about teaming up against hunger,” Crosson continued. “This year, I will also be talking about team spirit and how we need to work together for our fellow men and women.”
Following the service, there’ll be a “tailgate party” featuring food usually found at a tailgate.
Nationally, more than 400 churches have organized events, raising more than $3 million already for people in need.
Whately Congregational Church is located at 177 Chestnut Plain Road.
For more information, contact the church at 413-665-3537.